Mark Spizzirri: "Not so instant reaction" - Can the Wings continue their Game 2 play?

Number 1

I missed the game on TV and only caught half a period listening to the Hawks feed on radio so my comments are a from that standpoint.

Toews has always reminded me of Stevie Y. Number #19. Quiet leader. Compete level. Two way player. He actually even has that steely glare. EXCEPT when it comes to complaining about the stripes. I can never remember Stevie making an overt comment like that about not getting the calls.

kudos to the wings on the win, they clearly wanted the win more than the hawks did, looks like the hawks didnt bother to show up and play, but none the less wings deserved it and no need for excuses, but look for the hawks to regain their game on monday at the joe, go hawks

I missed the game on TV and only caught half a period listening to the Hawks feed on radio so my comments are a from that standpoint.

Toews has always reminded me of Stevie Y. Number #19. Quiet leader. Compete level. Two way player. He actually even has that steely glare. EXCEPT when it comes to complaining about the stripes. I can never remember Stevie making an overt comment like that about not getting the calls.
- MedicineMan

I also honestly don't remember Toews ever doing this until now. I could be wrong though.

I also honestly don't remember Toews ever doing this until now. I could be wrong though.
- patorioto

I don't follow the Hawks like a home town fellow, but I don't remember him either. He always had the Stevie Y glare during comments...very measured...calculated.

I was surprised that he is only 25..maybe that has something to do with it and no goals 7 games in. I guess give the guy a break, we all say something we rather have back...especially to the wrong people.

Reminds me of the '08 Finals and some of the '09. Crosby complained and complained regarding Zetterberg since he couldn't do he "Blades of Glory" routine during the finals. No one made much of it back then. I guess it was expected out of Sid.

I don't follow the Hawks like a home town fellow, but I don't remember him either. He always had the Stevie Y glare during comments...very measured...calculated.

I was surprised that he is only 25..maybe that has something to do with it and no goals 7 games in. I guess give the guy a break, we all say something we rather have back...especially to the wrong people.

Reminds me of the '08 Finals and some of the '09. Crosby complained and complained regarding Zetterberg since he couldn't do he "Blades of Glory" routine during the finals. No one made much of it back then. I guess it was expected out of Sid.
- MedicineMan

i think he is basically the first player coming out and saying how bad the refs have been all playoffs long and not just pointing out this series either, example how bad it was during the leafs bruins series was just awful and caps rags series too

i think he is basically the first player coming out and saying how bad the refs have been all playoffs long and not just pointing out this series either, example how bad it was during the leafs bruins series was just awful and caps rags series too
- Hawkeyes

if your talking about Toews, it's obvious the Wings are getting under his skin. I think he was speaking about the Wings, and him in particular -- his demeanor on the bench, it's clear he is bothered in this series.

toews crying about the refs...

toews crying about the refs...
- drummer829

we all know crosby cries the worst

i think he is basically the first player coming out and saying how bad the refs have been all playoffs long and not just pointing out this series either, example how bad it was during the leafs bruins series was just awful and caps rags series too
- Hawkeyes

I did not think his comments where that big a deal. To me it sounded more like he was frustrated realizing he lost the battle against 40 that game; and was in the process of realizing (to himself) what he needs to do to take it to the next level.

Unless he is playing injured, I expect a monster game from 19 on Monday; which may or may not show up directly on the scoresheet.

If he or anyone else with the Hawks thinks the officiating in this series has been one sided then 1) their head is in the wrong place and 2) they are just wrong.

I missed the game on TV and only caught half a period listening to the Hawks feed on radio so my comments are a from that standpoint.

Toews has always reminded me of Stevie Y. Number #19. Quiet leader. Compete level. Two way player. He actually even has that steely glare. EXCEPT when it comes to complaining about the stripes. I can never remember Stevie making an overt comment like that about not getting the calls.
- MedicineMan

I dont recall any comments to the press, but I do remember ( very fondly) Stevie throwing a water bottle at Paul Stewart :D

Any hockey fan can complain about the officials. In every game, normally multiple times a period, there is missed calls or bad calls made. It goes both ways- no matter what teams are playing. Sure it's frustrating, we all yell at our TVs. But it's not like the calls made or lack of calls made, were the difference in game 2. Maybe Toews wanted to deflect attention to something else

Props to Smith for scoring and making some better decisions in the last 2 periods he played over the 1st 4 periods played in this series. Hopefully that continues in game 3 and on.

Did someone wake up the Mule?? We all know he runs hot and cold, would be great if this was the start of a "hot streak"

I dont recall any comments to the press, but I do remember ( very fondly) Stevie throwing a water bottle at Paul Stewart :D

Any hockey fan can complain about the officials. In every game, normally multiple times a period, there is missed calls or bad calls made. It goes both ways- no matter what teams are playing. Sure it's frustrating, we all yell at our TVs. But it's not like the calls made or lack of calls made, were the difference in game 2. Maybe Toews wanted to deflect attention to something else

Props to Smith for scoring and making some better decisions in the last 2 periods he played over the 1st 4 periods played in this series. Hopefully that continues in game 3 and on.

Did someone wake up the Mule?? We all know he runs hot and cold, would be great if this was the start of a "hot streak"
- Bren4Wings

I wish someone would make Mule believe he is playing Colorado every game...he would be one of the best scorers in the league if they could manage to do that.

I dont recall any comments to the press, but I do remember ( very fondly) Stevie throwing a water bottle at Paul Stewart :D

Any hockey fan can complain about the officials. In every game, normally multiple times a period, there is missed calls or bad calls made. It goes both ways- no matter what teams are playing. Sure it's frustrating, we all yell at our TVs. But it's not like the calls made or lack of calls made, were the difference in game 2. Maybe Toews wanted to deflect attention to something else

Props to Smith for scoring and making some better decisions in the last 2 periods he played over the 1st 4 periods played in this series. Hopefully that continues in game 3 and on. K

Did someone wake up the Mule?? We all know he runs hot and cold, would be great if this was the start of a "hot streak"
- Bren4Wings

Can't say I remember the water bottle incident...now a days you are like Quick and get a big write up.

I was thinking of when Stevie was around Toews age when the Wings would always battle Oilers in the late 80's in the playoffs. They would always manage to win one of those first two games on the road....getting my hopes up before the mighty Oil got going. #19 frustration was never about the stripes, it was about Klima, Proby and Joey K out too late having one too many adult beverages.

It seemed as if the Blackhawks were more interested in drawing calls than skating hard and forcing the Wings to take bad penalties. There were a few replays I saw Toews initiate a scrum with Zetts, only to be easily pushed over. You're your own worst enemy when you start doing that.

i think he is basically the first player coming out and saying how bad the refs have been all playoffs long and not just pointing out this series either, example how bad it was during the leafs bruins series was just awful and caps rags series too
- Hawkeyes

Referees are such a double-edged sword. It's easy for us to sit on our couches and decry what a travesty the refereeing has been. There are always going to be calls you wish you got, and calls you wonder WTF. But it's one of those situations we (as fans) will never be happy with. If the refs don't call anything, we say "they got away with murder!" If they call everything, we say "let 'em play!" I don't think the refs have had too much impact in the series so far. Again, there's always calls that are missed (for both teams). In the end though, I think they all even out.

Referees are such a double-edged sword. It's easy for us to sit on our couches and decry what a travesty the refereeing has been. There are always going to be calls you wish you got, and calls you wonder WTF. But it's one of those situations we (as fans) will never be happy with. If the refs don't call anything, we say "they got away with murder!" If they call everything, we say "let 'em play!" I don't think the refs have had too much impact in the series so far. Again, there's always calls that are missed (for both teams). In the end though, I think they all even out.
- drice97

Well put and very true.

I've read the Hawk blogs, and a lot is being said about Z (and the rest of the Wings) getting away with this, that, and the other. There is validity in some cases, but the same can be said for the Hawks or any other team. There are things not called in every game. Its funny how the subject always seems to come up after a team loses a game, but not so much when they win. It always depends on perception and where ones loyalty is. It seems that what Z did to Toews in game 2 (a loss) was much worse than what Abdelkader received in game 1 ( a win) in some Hawk fans eyes.

Well put and very true.

I've read the Hawk blogs, and a lot is being said about Z (and the rest of the Wings) getting away with this, that, and the other. There is validity in some cases, but the same can be said for the Hawks or any other team. There are things not called in every game. Its funny how the subject always seems to come up after a team loses a game, but not so much when they win. It always depends on perception and where ones loyalty is. It seems that what Z did to Toews in game 2 (a loss) was much worse than what Abdelkader received in game 1 ( a win) in some Hawk fans eyes.
- Bren4Wings

Just my 2 cents but I think Toews is working the refs with the comments that he made after game 2. This isn't a cheap shot series or anything like that. Zetterberg isn't Raffi Torres but he's doing a great job of shutting Toews down so far. The Hawks don't fare so well in the grind it out type clutch and grab game. They play their best when the game is wide open and freewheeling. Babcock knows this and the best way for the Wings to beat the Hawks is to keep doing what they are doing. If the series turns into a track meet the Hawks will win. Now it up to the Hawks and Q to counter this. It will be interesting to see how the zebras call it tonight and if Toews's lobbying had any effect.

Just my 2 cents but I think Toews is working the refs with the comments that he made after game 2. This isn't a cheap shot series or anything like that. Zetterberg isn't Raffi Torres but he's doing a great job of shutting Toews down so far. The Hawks don't fare so well in the grind it out type clutch and grab game. They play their best when the game is wide open and freewheeling. Babcock knows this and the best way for the Wings to beat the Hawks is to keep doing what they are doing. If the series turns into a track meet the Hawks will win. Now it up to the Hawks and Q to counter this. It will be interesting to see how the zebras call it tonight and if Toews's lobbying had any effect.
- jhawk159

I agree with you- as long as a Red Wing player doesn't end up having surgery on his testicles like the last time these 2 teams met in the playoffs, definitely not cheap shots- to this point.

Well in the first, I would say it helped the Hawks. Ya got the national announcers saying the Hawks got away with one several times over the course of a period.....


I disagreed with some Hawk fans who said the Wings would come out strong in the first 10 minutes, I expected, and we saw the opposite. The Hawks were the team that had "something to prove" after game 2

Miller is having one heck of a game.... blocking shots, killing penalties, scored a HUGE goal. This kid is money tonight... great shot in the arm for Detroit. Welcome back Miller !

Coliacovo is also having an excellent game. Just nailed Shaw on the boards. He's definitely stepped up since Dekeyser went down... anybody else notice that ?? This game is a battle but the Wings are looking great so far. Jimmy is stopping everything so far.

GO WINGS !

Just my 2 cents but I think Toews is working the refs with the comments that he made after game 2. This isn't a cheap shot series or anything like that. Zetterberg isn't Raffi Torres but he's doing a great job of shutting Toews down so far. The Hawks don't fare so well in the grind it out type clutch and grab game. They play their best when the game is wide open and freewheeling. Babcock knows this and the best way for the Wings to beat the Hawks is to keep doing what they are doing. If the series turns into a track meet the Hawks will win. Now it up to the Hawks and Q to counter this. It will be interesting to see how the zebras call it tonight and if Toews's lobbying had any effect.
- jhawk159

Excellent post, I couldn't agree more. I like that it is getting testy out there. Wish Smith would stay out of the penalty box-both of his calls were obvious (I think Bolland sold that last one a bit though.) I would not be suprised to see this game go to OT. Wings have a habit of sitting back when they have a lead.

Nice win, Wings...Datsyuk's shot was just nasty.

Good win for the Wings tonight. Howard was solid. Top players keep playing well and the kid line is always great out there...what a nice goal by Nyquist to boot. Would be nice if they could get their PP to start scoring some goals though.


Ericsson's contract now looks pretty good doesn't it?

Good win for the Wings tonight. Howard was solid. Top players keep playing well and the kid line is always great out there...what a nice goal by Nyquist to boot. Would be nice if they could get their PP to start scoring some goals though.


Ericsson's contract now looks pretty good doesn't it?
- dcz28

Ericsson has really been as solid as you could have hoped, playing very well. Smith has looked better too apart from some bad penalties.